Serious accident in Willendorf: Zug collides with a truck at the level crossing

On January 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in Willendorf, Neunkirchen district, a collision between a railway set of ÖBB and an untrained level crossing with light signals. The incident occurred when a unpleasant truck that was driven by the handlebar alone collided by train. According to the truck driver and an independent witness, there were no signals (neither red nor yellow) on the light signal system, which prompted the Willendorf police inspection to examine the cause of the failure.

The train crew consisted of two train drivers, an instructor and an apprentice, as well as seven passengers. In the accident, only one person, a passenger, was slightly injured and brought to the Neunkirchen Clinic. The two drivers, both the train and the truck driver, remained unharmed. At 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., federal road 26 was closed due to the accident, and a detour was set up. The fire brigade Willendorf fire brigade was rescued, while ÖBB employees withdraw the railway set. All three drivers, two of the train and one from the truck side, had negative results in the alcohol tests.

costs and responsibility for level crossings

Some facts about level crossings and the associated costs were suggested by further research. The distribution of the costs for backups to railway crossings takes place half between the railway company and the carrier of the road construction load, whereby the municipalities often remain on higher expenses in the event of municipal roads. The costs for such security systems can be up to 500,000 euros, which is a significant financial burden for local communities.

The legal foundations are clearly anchored with clear rules of conduct in the road traffic regulations and the railway crossing regulations. Street users are obliged to adapt their speed in order to be able to stop in front of the railway crossing, and must make sure by outlook and acoustic signals whether it is possible to cross. In the case of light signals or barriers, vehicles have to stop at yellow or red. According to the findings, the responsibility for accidents at level crossings is usually with street users.

Despite technical fuses such as light signs and barriers, there are still risks of accidents, especially since secured intersections are not immune to accidents. An adaptation of the review periods for unsecured railway crossings from five to at least ten years is required, as is a new financing regulation in the Railway Act. The federal government should take over the financing, since the use of the streets not only benefits residents, but is more comprehensive.

In summary, the incident in Willendorf and the legal and financial aspects based on it shows how important preventive measures and clear regulations for safety at level crossings are. For further information on the legal responsibilities in such incidents you can visit municipalities.at